Luc de Clapiers
Luc de Clapiers
Luc de Clapiers, marquis de Vauvenargueswas a minor French writer, a moralist. He died at age 31, in broken health, having published the year prior—anonymously—a collection of essays and aphorisms with the encouragement of Voltaire, his friend. He first received public notice under his own name in 1797, and from 1857 on, his aphorisms became popular. In the history of French literature, his significance lies chiefly in his friendship with Voltaire...
NationalityFrench
ProfessionWriter
Date of Birth6 August 1715
CountryFrance
Luc de Clapiers quotes about
Whatever affection we have for our friends or relations, the happiness of others never suffices for our own.
Some of us would be greatly astonished to learn the reasons why others respect us.
Children are taught to fear and obey; the avarice, pride, or timidity of parents teaches children economy, arrogance, or submission. They are also encouraged to be imitators, a course to which they are already only too much inclined. No one thinks of making them original, courageous, independent.
Persevere in the fight, struggle on, do not let go, think magnanimously of man and life, for man is good and life is affluent and fruitful.
Indolence is the sleep of the mind.
The shortness of life cannot dissuade us from its pleasures, nor console us for its pains.
Despair exaggerates not only our misery but also our weakness.
Great men undertake great things because they are great; fools, because they think them easy.
The greatest achievement of the human spirit is to live up to one's opportunities and make the most of one's resources.
All erroneous ideas would perish of their own accord if given clear expression.
The counsels of old age give light without heat, like the sun in winter.
Lazy people always intend to start doing something.
The counsels of the old, like the winter sun, shine, but give no heat.
Habit is everything, even in love.